NPLQ Spinal Cord Injury Management 2

Question 1

What mechanism of injury most commonly causes cervical spinal injury in an aquatic setting?

Accepted Answer

Diving into shallow water — hyperflexion or axial loading of the cervical spine

Answer

Diving into shallow water is the leading cause of aquatic spinal injury, causing axial compression and/or hyperflexion of the cervical spine as the head strikes the pool floor.

Question 2

What is the RLSS recommended method for managing a face-up casualty in the water with suspected spinal injury?

Accepted Answer

Maintain in-water spinal stabilisation using head hold and gentle horizontal support until a spine board is brought to the casualty

Answer

The priority is in-water spinal stabilisation: the lifeguard supports the casualty in a horizontal supine position with the head and neck in neutral alignment, maintaining this hold until a spine board and backup rescuers are ready.

Question 3

Which signs and symptoms may indicate a cervical spinal injury in a retrieved pool casualty?

Accepted Answer

Neck pain, reduced or absent limb sensation/movement, numbness, tingling, or priapism (in males)

Answer

Cervical cord injury presents with neck pain, weakness or paralysis of limbs, loss of sensation (numbness or tingling), and in males, priapism — all indicating cord involvement.

Question 4

Why should spinal injury be suspected in any near-drowning casualty, even without a witnessed diving incident?

Accepted Answer

Because the mechanism may not be known, and cervical injury can occur from wave/flume forces or unwitnessed falls into the water

Answer

When the mechanism is unknown, the lifeguard cannot rule out spinal injury. RLSS NPLQ advocates maintaining spinal precautions for all casualties where the mechanism is unclear until clinical assessment rules it out.

Question 5

What does 'neutral alignment' mean when managing a suspected spinal injury casualty?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining the head, neck, and spine in a straight line, as if the person were standing naturally

Answer

Neutral alignment means keeping the spine in its natural, unstressed position — head in line with the body, not flexed, extended, or rotated — to avoid additional cord compression.

(NPLQ) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Practice Test

(NPLQ) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Practice Test

NPLQ Spinal Cord Injury Management 2